A MAN from Newington Green who kept four Polish nationals as slaves by forcing them to work 70-hour weeks for just a few pounds has been jailed.

Jonatan Majewski, 26, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday to one count of human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.

The court heard how Majewski forced his four victims – three men and one woman in their twenties – to sleep in a small bedroom in his council flat in Woodville Road.

He only offered them rations of bread and soup to eat while he sent them to work 12-hour days, six days a week at a commercial laundry in Essex.

The victims, from Poznan in western Poland, arrived in January after being recruited by Majewski who lured them to Britain with the promise of good jobs and wages.

But he took away the majority of their income leaving them with just a few pounds each.

Following three weeks of back-breaking work, the victims sought help from their colleagues at the laundry and contacted the police.

Officers from the Met’s Modern Slavery and Kidnap Unit searched the flat and subsequently arrested Majewski. He was charged with one offence under the Modern Slavery Act, which came into force two years ago.

Upon sentencing this week, Majewski was also issued with a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order, which can include restricting individuals from entering a certain area or country.

His father, Marek Majewski, 56, of the same address, was also jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to one count of fraud.

DC James Greenaway, of the Trafficking and Kidnap Unit, said: “Jonatan Majewski cynically exploited his victims for financial gain. He deceived them with the promise of a better life, offering a job with a regular wage, which was higher than they could earn in Poland. In reality they were made to work very long hours and had the majority of their wages withheld.”

Victims of trafficking or those who suspect trafficking can contact the modern slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.